July-August
Europa league 3rd Qual. Round, Leg 1
Rad 1-5 Mainz (Noveskix3,
A very impressive first game in charge away in Serbia. A first half hattrick by Center back Nikolce Noveski ensured a comfortable evening against the Serbians who got a consolation in the 86th minute. However an injury to Choupo-Moting early in the 2nd half soured the game. The youngster will now miss 6 weeks due to a knee injury.
German Cup, Round 1
Meuselwitz 0-1 Mainz (Ujah)
If ever there was a game whose scoreline dosen't tell the whole story then this was it. Anthony Ujah's goal in the 34th minute gave us the lead but from then on the ball just wouldnt go in as we hit the bar 4 times and spurned numerous other chances. All's well that ends well however and Mainz go through to the next round.
Europa league 3rd Qual. Round, Leg 2
Mainz 2-2 Rad (Steiber, Gopko)
With us as good as through to the next round I decided to rest plenty of players keeping the game against Hertha at the weekend in mind. Goals from Steiber and Gopko put us 2-0 ahead at half time in a game we thoroughly dominated. Rad came back a different team in the 2nd half eager to salvage some pride and through owen goals by Muller and then Gopko in the 89th minute snatched a draw. We go through 7-3 on aggregate.
Bundesliga, Round 1
Mainz 5-1 Hertha Berlin (Allagui, Risse, Steiber x2)
A brilliant performance in what was our first game at the new stadium. We outfought, out battled and thoroughly out played the newly promoted side with a staggering 20 shots on goal. Allgui gave us the lead on 29 minutes only for Hertha to cancel out the goal 3 minutes later. Marcel Risse put us ahead once again on 36 minutes to put us 2-1 ahead. A 2nd half brace from Steiber made it 4-1 before an own goal capped a miserable time for Hertha.
Bundesliga, Round 2
Leverkusen 1-3 Mainz (Noveski, Steiber, Zabavnik)
A perfect away performance by Mainz. We held firm to some early Leverkusen pressure before 2 goals on the stroke of half time killed them off. Leverkusen then went down to 10 men beofre we increased our lead further. Sidney Sam got a late consolation. a 3 week injury to Fathi clouded a very good night.
Europa League 4th Qual. Round, Leg 1
Mainz 0-0 Sturm Graz
Some very poor finishing at home now leaves us with a tough task away if we are to progress into the group stage which is whats expected of me.
Bundesliga, Round 3
Mainz 1-2 Dortmund (Risse)
A creditable performance against the reigning champions who got the winner in the 86 th minute to comple a good comeback after bieng 1-0 down at the break. We suffered yet another injury with our first choice striker being sidelined for 2 weeks.
Europa League 4th Qual. Round, Leg 2
Sturm Graz 0-1 Mainz (own goal)
Another game where our finishing let us down but we spared extra time by a 67th minute goal by the Austrians ensured our progress through to the group stages with a 1-0 aggregate win.
Europa League Draw
Twente
Sporting
Mainz
Westerlo
Twente and Sporting will be favourites but by no means certain to go through. If we can win both our games against the Belgians then one upset in the other games might be enough.
Bundesliga, Round 4
Nurmberg 2-0 Mainz
Disappointing result as both teams were very even and it took 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to hand them the win. We need to be more clinical in our finishing.
July-August Review
Overall a very pleasing start to life in Mainz. Good start to the league season and progress to the group stages of the Europa League. The injuries are proving to be worrying as we dont have a very big squad.